Nassau police see decline in opioid overdoses

<p>Fatal heroin and opioid overdoses are on the decline on Long Island, according to police and officials from both counties.</p>

News 12 Staff

Apr 16, 2018, 6:54 PM

Updated 2,445 days ago

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Officials in Nassau County say they're making headway in the fight against drug abuse.
County police and officials say that so far this year, the number of people who have died from heroin overdoses is down 32 percent compared to the same time last year. Non-fatal heroin overdoses are down 34 percent.
They credit stepped-up enforcement, more public education and following up with overdose victims.
They also said the widespread distribution of naloxone, an overdose antidote drug, has helped reduce deaths.
Suffolk officials say drug overdoses fell 42 percent in the county so far in 2018, compared to the same period last year.
Drug treatment experts say a drop in overdoses is certainly good news. But they say it's only one part of the overall drug addiction problem on Long Island.
"The reality is we're seeing increases across the board is the use of alcohol, marijuana, stimulants and tranquilizers. We need to make a more holistic approach to this," says Jeffrey Reynolds, of the Family and Children's Association.